Workplace Physical Activity Programs: Types of Evaluation
Posted by Corporate Wellness | Posted in Health Program Ideas | Posted on 12-07-2009
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The sort of evaluation you choose depends on when you do it and the kind of information you collect.
This section outlines when to use three types: formative, process and summative evaluations.
During the Development Stage
Use formative evaluations in the planning stages to see that your program is based on solid information. These evaluations also help you to cultivate effective and appropriate materials and procedures.
Examples of formative evaluations include:
• records of upper management commitments to the program
• employee interest surveys
• workplace environmental assessments
• pre-testing of program materials
During Your Initiative
A process assessment is used when the plan is underway. These evaluations help you:
• track what is going well and what isn’t (and how to revise your program)
• discover if you are reaching the workers you want to reach
• describe the plan to others
• monitor who is participating in the program
During or After Your Initiative
Summative evaluations take place when the initiative is already in place or completed. Use this sort of evaluation to measure what workers like about the initiative and what might be improved.
All three types of evaluations are useful. The evaluation you choose is dependent upon the time and monetary resources you have available.